M Y F A V O R I T E S

Bojidara Kouzmanova

 There are few words that can de - scribe what the violin means to me. She is like a friend, though friendships change, so she is more than a friend. She is a faithful companion; a partner, with whom one has intense discussions. She has known me my whole life, and we have shared everything. Often, I have said that she is the only one who can always tolerate me. However, as much as I love her, it is not about her, but about the music. It is about what music expresses and conveys.

 Music can understand, console, sup-port, touch, unburden and delight. It can be thought-provoking, when we allow it to be. Music accompanies daily life, the thoughts of it occurring occasionally as an unwanted, persistent guest – but its presence has impact in our lives. In the moments when music cannot help – cannot offer consolation, nor under - stan ding, nor relief – it is a faithful com panion. Sometimes full of emo- tion, other times very calm and quiet; music is a partner for life.

 Music and making music can lead one to doubt and even despair – but also always to grow. Music allows us to engage ourselves in a dimension that is as substantive and neces sary as the air that we breathe, but it’s not tangible. All that is the reason why I make music. For me, music is a direct path to the hu man soul. Music can affect realms where far more important things matter than appearances and success.

 With this CD, I would like to give you an in-depth look into my musical treasure chest, so that we may share diverse and wonderful moments with each other.

Bojidara Kouzmanova

 A native Bulgarian, Bojidara Kouzmanova began playing violin at the age of fi ve. She fi nished her studies at the University of Music and Arts in Vienna with Prof. Günter Pichler and completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance with distinction.

 Kouzmanova has won many national and international violin competitions in Europe and the United States, including the Bela Bartok Competition (1996), Dobrin Petkov Violin Competition (1996), Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition (2000), Hudson Valley String Competition (2000), Grand Prix »Alois Kottmann« awarded by the City of Frankfurt (2001), Honour Prize from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (2005).

 She has performed as a soloist with many different orchestras, such as the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Montevideo Symphony Orchestra, Sofi a Philharmo nic Orchestra, Plovdiv Philharmonic Orches tra, Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Bach Soloists Vienna, Kottmann String Players Frankfurt, New Basel Symphony Orchestra and Recreation Orchestra Graz.

 Bojidara Kouzmanova regularly gives concerts and teaches master classes all over the world. Her discography com-prises more than 15 CDs recorded for different labels in America, Bulgaria and Austria. Kouzmanova has a passion for old, precious instruments and owns more then 15 different Stradivarius and Guarneri violins as well as violins from other violin-makers.

 Many composers have dedicated pieces to Kouzmanova, including Perikles Liakakis (Tune for solo violin), Peter Richter (the violin concerto Bojidara), Florian Meyer(Vienna Waltz Caprise), Julia Purgina (Frederick for solo violin), Sergio Navata (Tangara for Violin and Piano). She is also a member of the Kreisler String Trio, En semble Quasars, Ensemble of the XX Century, Ensemble Collage and Reconsil, Vienna.

 Ms. Kouzmanova currently plays a Postiglione violin (1890), which was kind-ly loaned to her by a private sponsor.

www.bojidarakouzmanova.com

Recording dates: March, May, June 2017 | Recording venue: Tonzauber Studio in Konzerthaus Vienna, Austria (1–10), Rousse Philharmonic Concert Hall, Bulgaria (11) | Producer, Engineer: Georg Burdicek (1–10), Ivaylo Yanev (11)

Arrangements: Ivan Buffa (1), Bojidara Kouzmanova-Vladar (5), Fredo Jung (6), Dmitry Sitkovetsky (8)Photos: Maria Frodl, jarolas.sk, Atanas Peev, Rudy Bezhev | Translation: Mara Achleitner | Graphic design: paladino media

PianoMagda Amara (1, 5, 10)

ViolaAxel Kircher

Kreisler TrioBojidara Kouzmanova, Axel Kircher,

Luis Zorita (2, 4, 6, 8)

Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra (11, conductor: Nayden Todorov)

PianoIvan Buffa (3)

ViolinBojidara Kouzmanova (1, 5, 7, 11)

CelloLuis Zorita

HornWolfgang Vladar (1, 9, 10)

ViolaJulia Purgina (7)

– 1 –Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)

»Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht« (1868) lullabyFor our son Daniel

2:19

– 2 –Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Andante from Divertimento in E-flat major KV 563

7:08

– 3 –Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)

Intermezzo (Andante teneramente) op. 118 Nr. 2 (1892)

5:37

– 4 –Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

String Trio in B Flat major D 471 (Allegro)7:55

– 5 –Franz Lehar (1870–1948)

»Lippen schweigen«, arrangement for violin and piano from the operette The marry widow (1905)

For my Wolfgang2:26

– 6 –Fritz Kreisler (1875–1962)Marche miniature viennoise

3:26

– 7 –Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791)

Andante cantabile from Duo in B Flat major for Violin and Viola KV 424

(1783 in Salzburg) 3:07

– 8 –Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1759)

Adagio (Variation 25) from Goldberg Variations6:42

– 9 –Engelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921)

»Abendsegen« from the opera Hänsel and Gretel

2:29

– 10 –Karl Pilss (1902–1979)

Sinfonia (allegro energico) from Tre pezzi in forma di sonata

9:24

– 11 –Pantscho Wladigerov (1899–1978)

»Song« from the bulgarian Suite op. 21 6:50

TT 57:27

a production of orlando records | ℗ & © 2017 paladino media gmbh, vienna | www.orlando-records.com

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